Paint expert Mauro Henrique takes us on a house call to help a homeowner paint their living room ceiling. During a previous painting job, the homeowner left the painter’s tape on the ceiling too long, removing some of the existing paint. Mauro shows her how to properly tape and paint the ceiling for a perfect finish.
Next, host Kevin O’Connor takes us to the shop to meet with master electrician Heath Eastman and building engineer Ross Trethewey to discuss how utility companies measure energy consumption. They review the evolution of meters, explaining how the old analog meters worked and the upgrades of the new digital and smart meters. Including how the new models allow homeowners to track their energy consumption.
Next, Kevin meets with carpenter Nathan Gilbert to learn about house siding materials. Nathan explains three common options: vinyl, cedar, and fiber cement. While Nathan prefers wood, he notes that he also appreciates vinyl’s installation speed and fiber cement’s relatively low maintenance.
Finally, general contractor Tom Silva takes us along as he helps a homeowner solve a squeaky floor. After explaining why floors squeak, Tom uses a special screw and installation jig to secure and silence the wood floor.
The Correct Way to Paint a Ceiling
Painting a ceiling is rarely anyone’s idea of a good time. It can be hard on the arms, neck, and back—especially if you don’t know the proper process, materials, and techniques. Paint expert Mauro Henrique explains this all while helping a homeowner paint her living room ceiling.
Where to find it?
How Utility Energy Meters Work
Electrical meters track how much energy your home consumes. Once mechanical and complicated, they’ve become easier to understand and use. Host Kevin O’Connor, master electrician Heath Eastman, and building engineer Ross Trethewey discuss these devices.
Comparing Siding Materials
Choosing the right siding material depends on a few things. If you want affordability and quick installation, vinyl is the best option. If you want perfect lines and a traditional look, wood is best, but it’s very expensive and requires frequent maintenance. If you want a material that falls between the two in cost, adjustability, and maintenance, choose fiber cement.
DIY Fix for a Squeaky Floor
Squeaky floors can be seriously annoying—especially when they wake up a toddler as mom or dad tries to sneakily escape their room after bedtime. The cause is simply the home’s process of expansion and contraction. When a homeowner experienced this in his older home, he called general contractor Tom Silva for help.
Where to find it?
Tom uses a power drill to find the joist.
Tom uses the “Squeeek No More” Floor Repair Kit in order to align the joist, subfloor, and finish.
Tom uses wood floor repair crayons to blend the holes created by the drill.
Original Air Date: Jan 22, 2026, Season 24; Ep. 12, 23:42
Products and services
All tools and materials are available at Home Depot.
